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Marrone G, Urciuoli S, Di Lauro M, Cornali K, Montalto G, Masci C, Vanni G, Tesauro M, Vignolini P, Noce A. Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) and Its By-Products: Healthy Effects in Internal Medicine. Nutrients 2024; 16:2319. [PMID: 39064764 PMCID: PMC11279474 DOI: 10.3390/nu16142319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron, is a precious spice coming from Asia, in particular from Iran, the country leader in its production. The spice is derived exclusively from dried stigmas and it is the most expensive one in the world. The areas of application of saffron are multiple, in fact ranging across the food, drinks, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors. As is the case with other phytochemicals, not only the final product but also saffron by-products are considered a valuable source of bioactive natural compounds. In fact, its healthy effects, especially as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories (via reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines), are well-recognized in internal medicine. In particular, its healthy effects are related to counteracting degenerative maculopathy, depression and anxiety, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer and chronic kidney disease, by promoting glucose metabolism. In this review, we summarize the most important papers in which saffron has turned out to be a valuable ally in the prevention and treatment of these pathologies. Moreover, we would like to promote the use of saffron by-products as part of a bio-circular economy system, aimed at reducing wastes, at maximizing the use of resources and at promoting environmental and economic sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Marrone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (M.D.L.); (C.M.); (M.T.)
| | - Silvia Urciuoli
- PHYTOLAB Laboratory (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, Food Supplement, Technology and Analysis), Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications “Giuseppe Parenti” (DiSIA), University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (S.U.); (P.V.)
| | - Manuela Di Lauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (M.D.L.); (C.M.); (M.T.)
| | - Kevin Cornali
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (M.D.L.); (C.M.); (M.T.)
| | - Giulia Montalto
- School of Specialization in Nephrology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Claudia Masci
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (M.D.L.); (C.M.); (M.T.)
| | - Gianluca Vanni
- Breast Unit Policlinico Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Tor Vergata University, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Manfredi Tesauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (M.D.L.); (C.M.); (M.T.)
| | - Pamela Vignolini
- PHYTOLAB Laboratory (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, Food Supplement, Technology and Analysis), Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications “Giuseppe Parenti” (DiSIA), University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (S.U.); (P.V.)
| | - Annalisa Noce
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (M.D.L.); (C.M.); (M.T.)
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Chrastina M, Dráfi F, Pružinská K, Poništ S, Kamga KS, Khademnematolahi S, Bilka F, Novák P, Pašková Ľ, Bauerová K. Crocus sativus L. Extract (Saffron) Effectively Reduces Arthritic and Inflammatory Parameters in Monotherapy and in Combination with Methotrexate in Adjuvant Arthritis. Nutrients 2023; 15:4108. [PMID: 37836391 PMCID: PMC10574733 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is characterized by inflammation that affects not only the liver but also other organs and the musculoskeletal system. The standard therapy for RA is methotrexate (MTX), which has safety limitations. The extract from Crocus sativus L. (saffron-SF) is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we decided to investigate the potential benefit of SF in monotherapy via two doses (SF1-25 mg/kg of b.w.; SF2-50 mg/kg of b.w.) and in combination with MTX (0.3 mg/kg of b.w., twice a week) using adjuvant arthritis in rats. To evaluate these therapeutic settings, we used biometric, immunological, and biochemical parameters, as well as the relative gene expression of the mRNA in the liver. Our results showed a statistically significant increase in the experimental animals' body weight and the arthritic score (AS) on day 14 for monotherapy with SF1 and SF2. The change of hind paw volume (CHPV) was significant only for SF2 monotherapy on the 14th day of the experiment. A combination of SF1 and SF2 with MTX significantly modulated all the biometric parameters during the experimental period. Additionally, AS and CHPV improved considerably compared to MTX monotherapy on day 21. Furthermore, all monotherapies and combination therapies were significant for the biochemical parameter γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the joint. GGT activity in the spleen was less pronounced; only MTX in combination with SF1 significantly modified this parameter. The higher dose of SF monotherapy (SF2) was similarly significant with respect to immunological parameters, such as plasmatic IL-17A, IL-1β, and MMP-9 on day 21. The combination of both doses of SF with MTX significantly improved these immunological parameters, except for C-reactive protein (CRP), which was influenced only by the higher dose of SF2 in combination with MTX in plasma at the end of the experiment. A different effect was found for the relative expression of CD36 mRNA, where only SF1 significantly decreased gene expression in the liver. However, the relative gene mRNA expression of IL-1β in the liver was significantly reduced by the SF monotherapies and the combination of both SF doses with MTX. Our findings showed SF's partial antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory potential in monotherapy, but the effect was stronger in combination with MTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Chrastina
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Malá Hora 10701/4A, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - František Dráfi
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Katarína Pružinská
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Malá Hora 10701/4A, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Silvester Poništ
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Kevine Silihe Kamga
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P.O. Box 812, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon
| | - Sasan Khademnematolahi
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - František Bilka
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (F.B.); (P.N.); (Ľ.P.)
| | - Peter Novák
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (F.B.); (P.N.); (Ľ.P.)
| | - Ľudmila Pašková
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (F.B.); (P.N.); (Ľ.P.)
| | - Katarína Bauerová
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (K.P.); (S.P.); (K.S.K.); (S.K.)
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In Vitro Assessment of Myorelaxant and Antispasmodic Effects of Stigmas, Tepals, and Leaves Hydroethanolic Extracts of Crocus sativus. J Food Biochem 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/4165305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The valorization of Crocus sativus focuses mainly on the plant’s stigma because it is one of the most expensive and valuable spices in the world and has great value in the food, cosmetics, and pharmacological industries. Due to this high stigma value, the other parts of the plant are considered as by-products; our study aimed to evaluate the myorelaxant and antispasmodic activities of the byproducts (tepals and leaves) to compare them with the stigma of the plant. To investigate the myorelaxant and antispasmodic activities of the Crocus sativus on isolated rabbit and rat jejunum, we used an in vitro technic with an organ bath and an isotonic transducer. Our results showed that the STG (hydroethanolic extract of stigmas) and LV (hydroethanolic extract of leaves) had a moderate myorelaxant effect with IC50 = 6.61 ± 1.5 and 5.08 ± 0.45 mg/ml, respectively. TPL (hydroethanolic extract of tepals) had a significant (
) inhibitory effect on the amplitude of the rabbit jejunum basic contractions with an IC50 = 1.36 ± 0.15 mg/ml. TPL also caused a significant (
) antispasmodic activity depending on the dose of the contraction induced by CCh (10−6 M) and KCl (25 mM). The antispasmodic effect of the TPL is slightly altered in the presence of nifedipine by a percentage of 26.8%. This difference is statistically significant (
). Therefore, the extract could induce the inhibitory effect on L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, but not on the guanylate cyclase and nitric oxide pathways. That confirmed that the TPL has a comparable effect to the verapamil. The HPLC-DAD analysis of various parts of C. sativus shows that the three extracts contain the kaempferol flavanol compound, the STG also was revealed to be rich in carotenoids crocin, and these isomers are trans and cis-crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin. In contrast, the TPL revealed the presence of isorhamnetin and quercetin, but the LV was rich in hesperidin and mangiferin. In conclusion, this study supports the traditional use of this plant to treat digestive problems and will allow us to explore future possibilities for treating bowel spasms using natural molecules derived from saffron.
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Flavonoid Composition and Antibacterial Properties of Crocus sativus L. Petal Extracts. Molecules 2022; 28:molecules28010186. [PMID: 36615378 PMCID: PMC9822159 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Saffron petals, which are the main by-products of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae family), are produced in large quantities and are known for their many beneficial properties. In this regard, this study aims to investigate the phenolic composition and antibacterial properties of hydroethanolic extracts from Crocus sativus L. petals collected from Serghina (province of Boulmane) in Morocco. The phenolic profiles were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS). The antibacterial potential was evaluated against four bacterial strains potentially causing food-borne disease (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) using disc diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays. Results showed that a total of 27 phenolic compounds was detected in the Crocus sativus L. petal extracts, which were assigned to flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and myricetin derivatives). The most abundant compound was represented by kaempferol-sophoroside isomer (20.82 mg/g ± 0.152), followed by kaempferol-sophoroside-hexoside (2.63 mg/g ± 0.001). The hydroethanolic extracts of Crocus sativus L. petals demonstrated bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocetogenes and bacteriostatic effects against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Therefore, the by-product Crocus sativus L. petal extracts might be considered as valuable sources of natural antibacterial agents with potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Crocus sativus L. Stigmas, Tepals, and Leaves Ameliorate Gentamicin-Induced Renal Toxicity: A Biochemical and Histopathological Study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7127037. [PMID: 36217433 PMCID: PMC9547688 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7127037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The most costly spice in the world, Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus), has been used for more than 3,000 years. It has various beneficial applications in a range of fields, including aromas, colorants, and medications, but its usefulness as a food flavoring and coloring ingredient is the highest. Large quantities of by-products from the processing of saffron are typically thrown as unwanted bio-residues. This study's goal was to assess and compare the nephroprotective effects of hydroethanolic extracts of C. sativus stigmas, tepals, and leaves on gentamicin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. For that, we used a biochemical and histological investigation to propose new pharmaceutical valorizations. Based on the biochemical and histological analyses, it is concluded that all the studied parts of C sativus showed a renoprotective effect. Markedly, tepals revealed the most significant reduction of relative liver weight (p < 0.05), water intake (p < 0.05), plasma creatinine (p < 0.01), plasma urea (p < 0.01), plasma uric acid (p < 0.05), urinary protein (p < 0.01) and albumin (p < 0.001), and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.001). In addition, C. sativus tepals caused a significant increase in body weight (p < 0.05), urinary creatinine (p < 0.01), creatinine clearance (p < 0.05), and urinary urea (p < 0.05) compared with the gentamicin untreated (GM) group. This is confirmed by the histopathological study which shows that treatment with stigmas, tepals, and leaves preserved kidney morphology at the glomerular and tubular cell level. The studied extracts exhibit good recovery potential for nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin. In order to create potent dietary supplements or phytomedicines, it would also be very interesting to confirm these actions through clinical research.
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Phytochemical and Pharmacological Research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. Herb Extract with Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Properties. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11182371. [PMID: 36145771 PMCID: PMC9502318 DOI: 10.3390/plants11182371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The most promising plant from the genus Agrimony (Agrimonia L.) of the Rosaceae family for use in medical practice is Agrimonia eupatoria L. Phytochemical and pharmacological research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb extract, obtained with using 40% ethanol solution as an extractant were carried out. A total of 11 free and 17 bound monosaccharides, 17 amino acids were found in the studied extract, 9 of which are essential. Gallic and ellagic acids, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin, epicatechin, and epicatechin gallate were identified in the extract of A. eupatoria by the HPLC method; as well as hydroxycinnamic acids: hydroxyphenylacetate, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, cinnamic and quinic acid; flavonoids: quercetin-3-D-glucoside (isoquercitrin), neohesperidin, naringenin, luteolin were found, and their quantitative content was determined, as well by spectrophotometric methods. The herb extract of A. eupatoria belongs to practically non-toxic substances and has pronounced anti-inflammatory (at a dose of 10.0 mg/kg anti-exudative activity reached a maximum in 5 h (88.17%)) and hepatoprotective activity (at a dose of 25 mg/kg it reduce AlAt level by 1.1 and 1.2 times, respectively; AsAt by 1.2 and 1.1 times, respectively), reduces the level of lipid peroxidation and stabilizes the membrane structures of liver cells. Thus, the herb extract of A. eupatoria is a promising substance for the creation of phytomedicines with anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity.
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Garcia-Alonso A, Sánchez-Paniagua López M, Manzanares-Palenzuela CL, Redondo-Cuenca A, López-Ruíz B. Edible plant by-products as source of polyphenols: prebiotic effect and analytical methods. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:10814-10835. [PMID: 35658778 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2084028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Polyphenols with high chemical diversity are present in vegetables both in the edible parts and by-products. A large proportion of them remains unabsorbed along the gastrointestinal tract, being accumulated in the colon, where they are metabolized by the intestinal microbiota. These polyphenols have been found to have "prebiotic-like" effects. The edible plant industry generates tons of residues called by-products, which consist of unutilized plant tissues (peels, husks, calyxes and seeds). Their disposal requires special and costly treatments to avoid environmental complications. Reintroducing these by-products into the value chain using technological and biotechnological practices is highly appealing since many of them contain nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, with many health-promoting properties. Edible plant by-products as a source of polyphenols highlights the need for analytical methods. Analytical methods are becoming increasingly selective, sensitive and precise, but the great breakthrough lies in the pretreatment of the sample and in particular in the extraction methods. This review shows the importance of edible plant by-products as a source of polyphenols, due to their prebiotic effect, and to compile the most appropriate analytical methods for the determination of the total content of phenolic compounds as well as the detection and quantification of individual polyphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Garcia-Alonso
- Departamento de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Sánchez-Paniagua López
- Unidad de Química Analítica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Araceli Redondo-Cuenca
- Departamento de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatríz López-Ruíz
- Unidad de Química Analítica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
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Application of Quality by Design Approach to the Pharmaceutical Development of Anticancer Crude Extracts of Crocus sativus Perianth. Sci Pharm 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/scipharm90010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of the Quality by Design (QbD) concept to extracts obtained from Crocus sativus perianth with potential anticancer activity will ensure the safety, efficiency, and quality control of the entire technological process, as well as determine the critical factors affecting the quality of extracts. Potentially critical points of the production of the plant extracts, including the cultivation and processing of the plant materials, the extraction process, and the choice of solvents, were identified using the Ishikawa diagram and FMEA risk assessment methods as well as the corrective actions proposed. The Herbal Chemical Marker Ranking System (HerbMars) approach was used to justify the Q-markers choice of Crocus, which takes into account bioavailability, pharmacological activity, and the presence of the selected standard. An experimental design (DoE) was used to assess the influence of potentially critical factors on the efficiency of the compound extraction from raw materials with water or ethanol. The presence of 16 compounds in Crocus perianth was determined by HPLC and their quantitative assessment was established. Selected compounds (ferulic acid, mangiferin, crocin, rutin, isoquercitrin) can be used for the quality control of Crocus perianth. In addition, the stigmas from the Volyn region met the requirements of ISO 3632 for saffron as a spice (category I). The cytotoxic activity against melanoma (IGR39) and triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines of the hydroethanolic extract of C. sativus perianth was significantly more pronounced than the water extract, probably due to the chemical composition of the constituent components. The results show that the QbD approach is a powerful tool for process development for the production of quality herbal drugs.
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Mykhailenko O, Bezruk I, Ivanauskas L, Georgiyants V. Comparative analysis of apocarotenoids and phenolic constituents of Crocus sativus stigmas from 11 countries: Ecological impact. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2100468. [PMID: 35048403 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The chemical compositions of 15 saffron samples from 11 countries (Morocco, India, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Iran, Lithuania, Ukraine, Australia, and Azerbaijan) were evaluated. The samples were analyzed regarding the impact of environmental factors on the composition of apocarotenoids and phenolic constituents. Quantification of saffron metabolites was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the high content of chlorogenic acid (0.2 mg/g, Ukraine) and ferulic acid (0.28 mg/g, India) was controlled by the duration of solar radiation during plant development. The accumulation of caffeic acid (the higher content 4.88 mg/g, Ukraine) in stigmas depended on the average air temperature. In contrast, the total crocins content according to the correlation analysis depended on the duration of solar radiation, the solar UV index, and the soil type. Rutin was found in all samples (0.83-8.74 mg/g). The highest amount of crocins (average 382.45 mg/g) accumulated in saffron from Italy and Ukraine. Crocins, picrocrocin, safranal, and rutin can further serve as saffron quality markers. All validation parameters were satisfactory and high-performance liquid chromatography methods could be successfully applied for the composition assessment of saffron metabolites. Saffron extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli (MICs 62.5-125 µg/ml).
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Mykhailenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Ivan Bezruk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Liudas Ivanauskas
- Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Victoriya Georgiyants
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
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Pharmacological Potential and Chemical Composition of Crocus sativus Leaf Extracts. Molecules 2021; 27:molecules27010010. [PMID: 35011243 PMCID: PMC8746171 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocus sativus L. (saffron) has been traditionally used as a food coloring or flavoring agent, but recent research has shown its potent pharmacological activity to tackle several health-related conditions. Crocus sp. leaves, and petals are the by-products of saffron production and are not usually used in the medicine or food industries. The present study was designed to determine the chemical composition of the water and ethanolic extracts of C. sativus leaves and test their cytotoxic activity against melanoma (IGR39) and triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines by MTT assay. We also determined their anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral activities. HPLC fingerprint analysis showed the presence of 16 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids, xanthones, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids, which could contribute to the extracts’ biological activities. For the first time, compounds such as tectoridin, iristectorigenin B, nigricin, and irigenin were identified in Crocus leaf extracts. The results showed that mangiferin (up to 2 mg/g dry weight) and isoorientin (8.5 mg/g dry weight) were the major active ingredients in the leaf extracts. The ethanolic extract reduced the viability of IGR39 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells with EC50 = 410 ± 100 and 330 ± 40 µg/mL, respectively. It was more active than the aqueous extract. Kaempferol and quercetin were identified as the most active compounds. Our results showed that Crocus leaves contain secondary metabolites with potent cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.
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A New Glycosyltransferase Enzyme from Family 91, UGT91P3, Is Responsible for the Final Glucosylation Step of Crocins in Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168815. [PMID: 34445522 PMCID: PMC8396231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocetin is an apocarotenoid formed from the oxidative cleavage of zeaxanthin, by the carotenoid cleavage enzymes CCD2 (in Crocus species) and specific CCD4 enzymes in Buddleja davidii and Gardenia jasminoides. Crocetin accumulates in the stigma of saffron in the form of glucosides and crocins, which contain one to five glucose molecules. Crocetin glycosylation was hypothesized to involve at least two enzymes from superfamily 1 UDP-sugar dependent glycosyltransferases. One of them, UGT74AD1, produces crocins with one and two glucose molecules, which are substrates for a second UGT, which could belong to the UGT79, 91, or 94 families. An in silico search of Crocus transcriptomes revealed six candidate UGT genes from family 91. The transcript profiles of one of them, UGT91P3, matched the metabolite profile of crocin accumulation, and were co-expressed with UGT74AD1. In addition, both UGTs interact in a two-hybrid assay. Recombinant UGT91P3 produced mostly crocins with four and five glucose molecules in vitro, and in a combined transient expression assay with CCD2 and UGT74AD1 enzymes in Nicotiana benthamiana. These results suggest a role of UGT91P3 in the biosynthesis of highly glucosylated crocins in saffron, and that it represents the last missing gene in crocins biosynthesis.
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